Former third-round pick C Jonathan Lucroy was nice
enough to answer questions a few months ago, and it
was very well received. I thought it would be fun to have a follow-up
interview with Jonathan to see how his time in West Virginia is going.
Of course, Jonathan was more than willing to do the interview. He’s
someone I’ve really begun to pull for the more I’ve been in contact
with him. Here’s what he had to say.
Bernie's Crew: After playing rookie
ball in Helena, what is the biggest difference in moving up a level and
playing against better competition in High-A West Virginia?
Jonathan Lucroy: Overall every aspect of the game
is better. I have to say the pitching stands out the most. In rookie
ball pitchers leave the ball up more, as well as have less experience.
The pitching will get even better after the draft, just because the
teams will be sending their high-round draft picks here instead of to
rookie ball.
BC: All of the readers at
BrewersNation know that you are hitting the ball well in WV. In fact,
your slugging percentage and on-base percentage are higher than last
season’s numbers already. How have you been able to adjust to better
pitching so quickly?
J. Lucroy: The main reason I think I’ve had some
success here is because of my experience in Hawaii. The pitching I saw
there was the equivalent of high-a to possibly double-a. To have to
compete against that and then come into a full season and compete
against low-a pitching is a very big advantage for me.
BC: In our last interview, you said that you
wanted to work on your defensive skills first and foremost. How have
your game-calling skills and your defensive skills in general improved?
J. Lucroy: During spring training and the
offseason I really put a emphasis on getting my defense better. For me
to make it to the big-leagues I have to be able to catch, throw, block,
recieve, and call a game. As well as hit. The hitting for me has always
come the easiest, and really, hitting is tough. So as you can see, my
defensive side of the game will get me there, and my hitting will keep
me there, at least I hope. This year I really put a pronunciation on
working on my throwing. In Hawaii I had a terrible percentage of
throwing runners out. During my offseason workouts I worked on my arm
strength alot, and so far it has helped me out tremendously here in
West Virginia. My mental side of the game or calling pitches, will come
with experience. I have to experience it in order to understand it.
BC: Based on your time in WV thus far, give
Brewers fans someone to look for in the coming weeks. Who is a
potential “breakout player” that you are currently playing with?
J. Lucroy: I would say probably Steffan Wilson. I
think he is one of the most underrated players in our organization. He
has a great arm, good defensive instincts at third base, and he hits
for alot of power. I’ve seen him hit 450 ft shots easily. There are
some really good third basemens in our organization, and I think he and
Zealous Wheeler both can hold their own very well.
BC: How is life as a minor league baseball
player? Is it a day-to-day grind, or do you think of yourself as
someone living the dream, playing the game you love?
J. Lucroy: I would have to say both. I’m very
passionate about what I do, and I would never trade any of this for
enything else, but it does start to grind on you after a while. Last
year I played in a total of 173 games counting college, Helena, and
Hawaii. I remember thinking during the last two weeks I was in Hawaii
how tired and weak I felt. It was very tough, but I would do it all
over again if I had to so I can achieve my life dream.
BC: With the exception of Jeremy Jeffress in
Brevard County, there has not been a pitcher garnering more praise than
LHP Zach Braddock. He started the year in WV. Did you have the chance
to catch for him? How’s his stuff?
J. Lucroy: I did catch him, he throws what I
heard is called the “invisi-ball.” Hitters swing at it, and it
disappears. He strikes alot of guys out because he is short and quick
to the plate. Its deception that allows him to have success. I heard
the “invis-ball” comparison from the other pitchers on our team. They
couldn’t believe how many hitters swung and missed at his pitches.
BC: What is your goal for yourself in the 2008 season?
J. Lucroy: My goal is to continue getting better.
I think that if I go out and work hard and try to get better every day,
then everything else will take of itself. I know that there are some
guys that say they want to hit .350 or hit 20 hr’s or whatever. I’m not
about all that, I just try to go out and handle my business the right
way and things will fall into place.